Florida Republicans are set to request $3.5 billion in federal aid for their state’s struggling agriculture industry after a historic freeze and other severe weather, according to text obtained by POLITICO.
Rep. Scott Franklin, who sits on the House Ag-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee, and Rep. Kat Cammack are leading legislation they planned to introduce this week. Their plan would create state-administered block grants that would reach farmers more quickly than typical federal disaster funds.
Their legislation is co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 21 Florida lawmakers in the House, and the Senate companion will be introduced by Florida GOP Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in March signed a disaster declaration for Florida counties affected by freezing conditions last winter. The $3.5 billion would be allocated exclusively to make up for losses due to the freeze and cold weather in those counties.
